Patriots Trade Kyle Dugger to Steelers Before NFL Deadline

Foxborough, MA – The New England Patriots have made significant changes to their roster, trading safety Kyle Dugger to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday night, just minutes after sending defensive lineman Keion White to the San Francisco 49ers.

The trade of Dugger, along with a 2026 seventh-round pick, brought a 2026 sixth-round pick in return. This move indicates a shift in strategy for the Patriots under their new head coach, Mike Vrabel, who took over from Jerod Mayo this season.

Dugger, who signed a four-year, $58 million contract extension last year, has been a key player for the Patriots since being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Lenoir-Rhyne University. He started 69 games and recorded nine interceptions during his tenure. However, his role diminished this season as he battled injuries and was pushed out of the first team.

“Dugger was a versatile player, but he didn’t fit the vision we have for the defense right now,” said a team source. “We believe this trade will help us in the long run.”

With Dugger’s departure, the Patriots now have two open roster spots to fill. They will need to address gaps at safety and edge rusher as the NFL trade deadline approaches next Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 4 p.m. ET.

Dugger’s departure follows a trend of changes for the Patriots, and the team has been active in exploring trade options to bolster their lineup before the deadline arrives.